engine...RV antifreeze

Q

Quint

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2008
RO Number
29983
Messages
71
I have a FWC 1991 VP 350. Can I use the red/pink RV -50 antifreeze that's meant for dinking water systems to winterize my engine or is there another kind of pink antifreeze specially made for engine winterizations? Since the motor is FWC I assume just the exhaust manifolds, heat exchanger on fwc system and outdrive will be winterized w/the pink antifreeze.
 
RV AF will work fine for engines. Turns to slush at -20, but does its job. Be aware though, that the RV stuff does not contain a lot of rust inhibitors. I used it for years in Minnesota, outside storage.
 
Prestone makes pink RV / Boat antifreeze. It's -60 and it's $5 / gal at Walmart. It had rust and corrosion inhibitors.
 
It “can” get pretty nipply here on the north coast and because all these antifreeze threads have raised my curiosity I have mounted one of those wireless indooroutdoor thermometer in the boat. I have the outdoor sending unit sitting between the engines and the other half up in the salon. It has highlow memory setting so next spring I see how cold it actually gets in there.

Because I am anal I used -100 to do the raw water side of the engines. The antifreeze in the motors tested -30.
Niles
 
I have noticed almost no one carries the automotive non-toxic AF these days. I would prefer to mix that 505/50 and use it for winterizing. I assume its because of all the other AFs they carry for the various vehicle requirements.
 
It's not non-toxic because it contains water pump lubricants and anti-rust additives. The pink stuff & the automotive type propylene glycol contain the same protection. Propylene glycol is used in food additives. Sierra & Prestone make AF with the propylene glycol. I use the Sierra every year. It's green; not pink & the marina gives me a rash of crap every year because of the color. I tried to explain the difference between the ethylene glycol & propylene glycol but to no avail because of color.
 
Bob, did you have any trouble finding Sierra this year?
 
Greg, I actually bought it last year. Price was right plus it had the rebate offer. I just saw some but for the life of me I can't remember where. Try Napa; I think that's where I bought it last year. Also my Ace Hdwe had it at one point but probably pricier than auto parts store. BTW try this....For other retailers who carry SIERRA Antifreeze call:
1-800-289-7234
 
I have my boat blocked at a friends shop yard way back in a corner of a lot. Why cant I use just regular 50/50 AF the same that cools the block. I could put a large tub/trays under the out drive to collect any AF blowing out the exhaust. Does the green auto AF protect any better than the pink RV AF?
 
Quint, both the pink & the green "Sierra" are made from propylene glycol; not toxic ethylene glycol. Me personally just don't feel comfortable with the pink stuff for engines. I just feel safer with an AF made for engines. Just my 2¢.

GREG, Prestone also makes an AF using Propylene glycol. I think they call it Lo-Tox.
 
Thanks Bob, couldn't find it this year so used regular green.
 
I just had the same problem. Couldn't find Ban Frost 2000 anywhere. After three stops I settled for pink stuff that's labeled for -100.
 
Yeah, I know. Too bad THEY din't know. I went there Monday. They were out but quickly told me they would have some more - on FRIDAY! That didn't help me as I planned on pulling the boat today (I did). As is typical, you go in for 2 things and come out with 1 or 0. I have learned that to be typical of all retail stores. Plain and simple - substandard stocking quantity and service. But I did notice they had about 50 of those bean-bag ash trays.

Here's a broadcast to all retail stores...have an ample stock of antifreeze in the fall and make sure you have more then two CJ-8 lawn mower spark plugs in the spring! IS THAT TOO MUCH TO F-ING ASK FOR?
 
I think marine places are the only places where one can easily find non or low toxic AF (like Sierra). Places like Walmart and AutoZone need to carry a bunch of AF for universal, Dexcool, G-05, the old green stuff, etc. Given that Sierra and Prestone Low Tox can only be used in place of the old green stuff, how many people will really buy that stuff since I assume the majority of vehicles are no longer using the old green stuff?

And we can be thankful that marine engines were not spec'ed for Dexcool (only a fool would use Dexcool).
 
I have dexcool in both of my Merc inboards. What's the problem with Dexcool?
 
Dexcool was the antifreeze recommended by Monitor Products for the FWC systems. It is a no silica antifreeze so it will not gel if the engine has been ran in salt water.

BTW, I agree with you Stephen, total idiots decide what to stock in parts stores.

Ken
 
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